Woodshock - More Info

Not only does electricity travel along wires above us, it is also carried through insulated underground power lines. Digging in areas that have these buried cables could damage the insulation around them.

If the digging equipment stays in contact with the wire, the electricity may travel through it to the ground. If the equipment is still working, lift it from the hole and back well away. If the equipment is not working, stay put until the electrical utility makes the area safe.

People have been seriously injured or killed using augers, shovels or other digging equipment because they didn't check for buried power lines or because they left the equipment after the electrical contact was made. Always call the local utility to check for the presence of cables before you dig.

Between 1998 and 2008, the annual number of buried power cable dig-ins reported to the Ontario Ministry of Labour rose from 28 to over 100.  

Always look up and be aware of your surroundings. Most overhead power lines are not covered with a protective insulation. The airspace around the wires acts as the insulation.

If a conductive object comes to close to, or touches the wires, the electrical current in the wires will flow into the item and into anyone holding that object, on its way to the ground. The handler is at risk of a severe electrical shock, and possibly electrocution. This means that ladders, elevated work platforms, pipes, or anything else high enough to cross the wires are dangerous to use in an area where there are overhead wires.。

Keep objects, including yourself 3 to 7 meters (3 to 7.5 yards) away from these wires. Most people cannot tell the difference between telephone wires, television cable or electrical power lines, so treat them all with the same respect and stay away. Even if you see a covering on some electrical wires, don't be fooled. These coverings can deteriorate with age and cannot be relied on to protect you.

From 1999 to 2003 there were 12 powerline deaths involving ladders.  From 2004 to 2008 there were none.

Water and electricity don't mix because water conducts electricity. Touching water that is in contact with electricity will cause the electricity to travel through the water to you on its way to the ground. Even small amounts of water can conduct electricity, so if the ground is damp and electricity is leaking out of a faulty electrical tool or damaged power cord, there is potential for electrical shock.

Electrical items should not be plugged in or used close to sinks with water in them, swimming pools, bathtubs containing water, or while taking a shower, or washing the car.

You should never use an electric lawn mower on wet grass. If you just vacuumed the car, put away the electrical cord and the vacuum before you wash the outside of the car.

Always make sure that you and the area around you are dry before using anything electrical.

In the ten-year span between 1999 and 2008 there were 95 electrocutions in Ontario; 64 in the workplace and 31 in non-occupational settings. 

Plugging in more cords than an outlet receptacle is designed to handle can be a fire hazard, so there are a couple of things everyone should know about their home.

• Which outlets are connected to the same circuit?
• What is the total power that could be used at once if all the appliances plugged into that circuit operated at the same time?

Most home lighting and wall outlet circuits can carry 15-amperes of current. At 120 volts, this translates into a total capacity of 1800 watts of power, however, the safe capacity of this circuit is 1500 watts of power. If the outlets and lights in the family room have the following plugged in and are all operating at the same time, the safe capacity of the circuit will be exceeded:

In the kitchen, just two appliances operating in the same outlet branch circuit can easily go over the safe and total capacities:

• toaster (400 watts)
• microwave oven (1200 watts)

Make sure that the power demand of the lamps and appliances turned on at the same time does not exceed the safe capacity of the circuit.

On average there are more than 700 electrical fires in homes across Ontario per year, killing two people annually. Be safe; do not overload outlets with more appliances than they are designed to handle.

There were 32,584 electrical fires in Ontario from 1998 to 2007.

If downed or fallen power lines come into contact with your vehicle, stay inside the vehicle if you can.

If you must exit the vehicle as a last resort due to fire or other hazards, you must do so without touching the equipment and the ground at the same time. Always follow this safety procedure when exiting in order to avoid electric shock.

• Remove loose clothing, long coats or jackets.
• Open the door but don't let your feet touch the ground.
• Turn sideways on the seat, keep your arms by your side, being careful NOT to touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time.
• Jump about half a meter (or about 20 inches) away from the vehicle, landing with feet together, and arms and clothing close to your body.
• Keep your feet together (always touching) and shuffle at least 10 meters (11 yards) away. Your heels should never pass your toes.
• Don't turn back for any reason. Do not approach the vehicle again, and warn others to stay away until emergency help says it is safe.

Between 1999 and 2008, Ontario reported 178 fatalities: 95 deaths by electrocution and 83 deaths caused by electrical fires.

GFCIs (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters) monitor the flow of electricity and can instantly detect a "leak" in electricity when an appliance is plugged in and in use. If a "leak" is detected, the GFCI will cut off the power flowing through the appliance, preventing you from potential electric shock.

They should always be used in the presence of water due to the increased risk of electric shock when water is involved.

There are three types of GFCIs. The most often used "receptacle type" GFCI, similar to a common wall outlet, is the type with which most people are familiar. There are also circuit breaker GFCIs, used as replacements for standard circuit breakers and providing GFCI protection to all receptacles on that individual circuit. Portable GFCIs are frequently used in construction and in outdoor settings with electric tools, mowers, trimmers or similar devices. They should not be used as a permanent alternative to a regular GFCI.

Between 1998 and 2005, the annual number of electrical injuries in Ontario declined.  In 1998 and 1999, there were more than 100 injuries reported.  The numbers in 2004 and 2005 were reduced to less than 60 injuries per year.

Read Some Public Electrical Contact Accident Reports